Launching or discharging equipment for signaling



LAUNCHING 0R DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING May 2, 1950 M. DWYER ETAL 5 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed AuIg.

S R, V mm M MWM 2 @0 M Q W WM M/ Ma V. a E I May 2, 1950 M. DWYER ET AL 2,505,950

LAUNCHING 0R DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING Filed Aug. 5, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 10 me A INVENTOR. MART/N D WYE/Z y (91/ M00 ISA/v6 ATTOR NE Y3 May 2, 1950 M. DWYER El AL 2,505,950

LAUNCHING 0R DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1947 I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I 1II. m I uw n n HH H I H I I I I M H H H H M H I ulIIrlI HIIIIII uh IIII H III I I I I I I III I II II I I IIIIIIIII IIIII II I I I H I I l I l I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I |III IIIIIwHHIIIl II I INVENTORI Amer/1v DWI/ER By Cw Mou TSANG r w ATTORNEYS y 1950 M. DWYER ETAL 2,505,950

LAUNCHING 0R DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING Filed Aug. 5, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 al 73? F5. E3. 7 5 5? a? T 4/ 5/5 76: H i 4 80 53k I INVENTOR. MART/N DWVEQ A TTO/ZNEYS May 2, 1950 DWYER ET AL 2,505,950

LAUNCHING OR DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 5, 1947 f n A INVENTOR.

no G mN/m H A N E E ufl 0 WM A m/ g Patented May 2, 1950 LAUNCHING OR DISCHARGING EQUIPMENT FOR SIGNALING Martin Dwyer, Hewlitt, and Chi Mou Tsang, Freeport, N. Y., assignors to Aerial Products, Inc., Merrick, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 5, 1947, Serial No. 766,248

This invention relates to launching or discharging equipment and more particularly to equipment of this character that is adapted to be installed in aircraft, or fast moving vessels or other vehicles for automatic operation upon the occurrence of an accident to discharge or launch signals, rescue devices or other types of useful articles, devices or contents from the equipment that will facilitate location of the scene of the accident, and the vehicle involved in such accident, and/or its survivors, and/or be useful to survivors until rescued.

A principal object of this invention is to provide launching or discharge equipment of the general character described that may be installed permanently in a vehicle such as an airplane, for example, in which various devices useful in the event of an accident may be loaded and stored previous to departure and which, in the event of an accident, will be discharged or expelled automatically from the equipment.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide launching or discharge equipment of the character described which will be responsive to the crash impact of an accident to the aircraft or other vehicle in which it is installed to effect automatic release and discharge of the aforesaid stored useful devices from said equipment into areas in the vicinity of the accident, and which equipment is positive in its action regardless of fuselage position provided that the aircraft crashes with the engine first.

Still another object of the invention is to provide launching or discharge equipment of the character described which will be responsive to water pressure resulting from submergence of the aircraft or other vessel in which it is installed to effect automatic release and discharge of the aforesaid stored useful devices from said equipment into the Water in the vicinity of the accident.

Still another object of the invention is to provide launching or discharge equipment of the character described in which both crash impact responsive means and water pressure responsive means are provided to effect automatic release and discharge of the aforesaid stored useful devices in the event of an accident, and in which the water pressure responsive means for effecting said automatic release and discharge is operative even in the event of failure of operation of said crash impact responsive means.

till another object of the invention is to pro vide launching or discharge equipment of the character described, equipped with either type 6 Claims. (Cl. 244136) of responsive means to effect required release and discharge of the aforesaid stored useful devices.

Generally automatic launching or discharging equipment embodying the invention comprises a supporting means or storage device adapted tobe permanently installed within an airplane, boat,

or other vehicle. Devices or contents usefulin the event of an accident are loaded and stored w;thin the storage device. A retaining arrangement or means is provided for the storage device to retain the contents loaded and stored therein until the occurrence of an accident. Inertia or crash impact actuated and also water-pressure actuated release mechanisms or either of such two are provided in conjunction with the retaining arrangement or means to maintain the latter in retaining position until an accident occurs. On such occurrence, either the crash impact resulting from the accident or water pressure resulting from sinking or submergence in water of the aircraft or other vehicle involved in the accident will operate or trip the release mechanisms to free the retaining arrangement or means. Discharging or expelling arrangements are provided within the storage device which then effect the expulsion of stored contents of the storage device forcefully into the .or body of Water in the vicinity of the accident and clear of the vehicle involved.

event of an accident as described, may be nightand daytime signalling devices to facilitate: location of the scene, rescue devices for survivors, food packages, weapons, tools and a great variety of other types of articles useful for emergency purposes.

In practice such useful articles are packed preferably in substantially uniformly sized and shaped individual containers. Preferably, a group of such individual containers, selected so that one or more of them have different types of contents from the others are loaded and stored within the storage device of the launching or discharge equipment of the particular aircraft, boat or other vehicle prior to departure. The choice of contents depends upon the vehicleand its mission. The entire group is intended to be expelled from the launching or discharging equipment automatically as described upon the occurrence of an accident to the vehicle. Since some of the individual containers of the group may have contents that should be automatically expelled from the individual containers, after the latter have been launched either a short time after launching, or at successively longer periods of time after the accident has occurred, means are also provided within the launching or discharging equipment to act upon or to condition appropriate means associated with any of such individualcontainers as they are expelled with. the group from the launching or discharging equi ment at the time of the accident to activate such appropriate means at such time.

Other objects include the provision of simple effective arrangements for providing effective equipment of the characterdescribed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereafter to be described and then sought to be defined in thewhich-show merely for the purposes of illustra-..

tive disclosure a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that'changes may bemade in practice within .the scope of the claims without digressingfrom the inventive idea.

In-the drawings in which similar reference" characters denote corresponding parts and in" which sectional views are seen in the direction oi -the arrows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view in flight of a vehicle such as an airplane in which launching or discharging equipment embodying the invention has been installed;

Fig.2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line 2- -2 of Fig. 1 illustrating such'launching or'discharging equipment inside elevation as it -has'been installed and supported within the airplane;

Fig.3 is an enlarged top plan view of launching and discharging equipment embodying the invention partially broken away and partially sectionalized to show structural details;

Fig. 4 is a similarly enlarged bottom plan view of the launching and discharging equipment 'of Fig.3, also partially broken away and partially sectionalized to show other structural details.

-Figs.4a, 4b and 4c are respectively side end and side elevations of structural details;

Fig.- dis a side elevation of the launching or discharging equipment of Figs. 3 and 4 also partially broken away and sectionalized to illustrate additional structural details, and as viewed from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on a reduced scale taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line. of Fig.

8 is an enlarged perspective view of the crash impact operated and water-pressure actuated trip or release mechanisms for the retaining means of the launching or discharging equipment;

Fig.1!) is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to that of Fig. 7 of the crash impact operated and water-pressure actuated trip or release mechanisms; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line ||i-||l of Fig. 1 showing actual positions of parts of the launching or discharging equipment after the trip or release mechanisms have'been actuated as a result of an accident and during operation of the expelling arrangements.

While the automatic'launching or discharging equipment embodying the invention will hereinafter be described specifically with reference to its installation in an airplane, it is to be understood that it can be installed in ships or other vehicles as well and no specific limitations to aircraft installations are: intended.

Referring now to the drawing and firstto Figs. 1. and 2, ll] denotes an airplane (Fig. 1) within Whose fuselage M an automatic launching or discharging equipment l2 (Fig. 2) is installed preferably though not necessarily near the tail i3 (Fig. 1) of the airplane. The discharging or launching device l2 (Fig. 2) is supported within the fuselage II as will be presently described so that contents may be launched or discharged, in the event of. an accident, through an opening M in a wall Ila of the fuselage II. This opening M is closed or sealed by a closure member l5, for example, of fabric or any other suitable materialthat can be ruptured byaction of an appropriate part presently to be described of the discharging or launchingequipment. l2, when. the latter. isroperated. automatically. upon the. occurrence of anaccident to free the opening i4 and thereby-topermit free discharge. or expulsion through said. opening; l4. of the contents.

stored withinv said launching .or discharging equipment l2. It is to. be understood, however, that other types of closure members'foropene ing it maybe substituted for. the closure l5, such as a plate having the same curvature as the fuselage that can be attached to. a movable part and, that..wi1l, for example, be tripped automatically to: an'open: position in the event of an accident.

The launching ;or discharging equipment If in itself comprises a skeleton. of frame parts 20 (Figs. '3, 4 and 7): shaped and joined :together 'to provide a tubular storage device or container 2|- of substantialiyrectangular section. .(asseen in Fig. 6). They may provide othershapes-and sections. An over-all covering or skin22 of metal or any other desirable material. is applied and secured. to .these frame parts to define the side walls of said storage device 2|. A fixed coverv or closure 23 of similar material is provided for the uppermost end of said container 2|. Thebottom or loading end of the container 2| 'ais: provided with. content retaining. means in the form or a spring-actuated pivotally supported gate; closure or retainer 24 for purposes presently to be described in detail.

Tripable latching means 25 (Fig. 5) is provided in conjunction with the retainer 24 to maintain it in its retaining position after the. storage. device or container 2| of -the launching equipment l2 has been loaded with its contents and to. release said retainer 24 automatically in the event of an accident," as will presently be described;

to permit discharge of said contents.

Guide rails or tracks. 21* (Figs-.'3, 4 and 7) are secured to the front and back portion frame parts 2-0 internally of the storage device: 2|". These tracks 21 are in the form of angle bars and 6X- tend in parallelism with the longer axis of' the device 2|. Separate pairs of spaced apart left and right hand shielding side plates 28;29 (Figs. '7 and 10)' are secured respectively to the left'and right pairs of'front and back guide railsor tracks 21. The spaces 30', 3| between these. shielding plates are for purposes presently to be described.

The contents which are adapted to be loaded into the container 2 comprise a group oftubular cylinders 32, 33. These cylinders 32, 33 are preferabiy of substantially uniform size and are admeasured to be insertable into the storage device 2| within the space defined by the guide rails or tracks 21 and to be guided and retained within the storage device or container 2| one above another with their axes substantially parallelwith each other. The longitudinal dimension 'of the container 2| is sufiicient to receive a desired number of the cylinders 32 and 33. In the embodiment shown six such cylinders may be loaded as a. group into the container 2| and be supported between the guide rails 21. The particular number of such cylinders 32, 33 that are tube inserted is optional, however, and corresponding dimensional changes may be made toprovide space for larger or fewer numbers of such cylinders, or for differently dimensioned cylinders.

Some of the cylinders, for example, the cylinders 33 that are to be loaded into the storage device 2| have end protuberances or domes 34 of frangible material such as glass which provide protective seals for the contents of such cylinders and for actuating mechanisms thereof. The slots 30, 3| (Figs. 7 and 10) in the side plates 29, 29 are admeasured so that these domes 34 can move freely in them as well as project through them and beyond the opposite faces of the said side plates 28 or 29 for purposes presently to be described.

The cylinders 32, 33 are loaded into the storage device or container 2| through an opening in its bottom end which normally is closed by the retainer, closure or gate means 24. In the embodiment shown, this retainer or gate means 24 is supported by a spring type of hinge 40 (Fig. 3) attached suitably to the retainer or gate means 24 and to a wall or frame part of the device 2| so that the gate 24 can be swung on the hinge pin 4| into and out of closing or retaining relationship with the opening in the said bottom end of the storage device 2|. The torsion springs 42 of the hinge tend always to urge the gate, closure or retainer 24 into an open position.

The latching means 25 (Fig. which serves to lock the retainer or gate 24 in a closed position includes brackets 45. These brackets 45 are secured to the retainer or gate 24. Each bracket 45 has a slot 46 (Figs. 5 and 7) to receive a releasable claw or catch member 41 (Figs. 5, 7 and 9) provided on a pivotally supported arm 48. The pivotal supports 49 (Fig. 9) for the arms 48 are mounted in brackets 49a. The latter are secured to a plate member 49b as by screws 5| (Figs. 5, 7 and 9). The plate member 49b is secured to a covering or enclosing member 50 and to a frame part 20 of the container 2| as by screws 52 (Figs. 7 and 9). The arms 48 are all joined by a crossbar 53 (see Fig. 9) A crank rod or stop arm 54 is secured to the cross-bar 53. The stop arm 54 is positioned to cooperate with the inertia and pressure operated release arrangement now to be described.

In the embodiment shown, the inertia and pressure operated release mechanism includes a longitudinally slidable bar or shaft 60 '(Figs. 7, 8 and 9). Spaced apart bearing brackets 6|, 62 are secured to a portion 49b of plate member 4911 or to other fixed parts. These brackets have aligned bearings 63, 64 (Figs. 8 and 9) to support the bar or shafts 59 slidably therein. The bearing 63 and the portion 660. of the shaft 60 that is slidable in said bearing 63 have a longitudinally extending groove or recess 63:; which functions to prevent rotation of the shaft 60, as will be presently described, without, however, interfering with slidable movement of the rod 60. A transversely extending slot or recess 64 is provided in the rod 66 in its portion between the bearing brackets 6|, 62 for purposes presently to be described. An enlarged or headed portion 65 (Fig. 9) is provided on the rod 60 adjacent its portion 63 and on the outer side of the bearing bracket 6|. A portion 66 of reduced diameter joins the headed portion 65. A longitudinally extending slot 61 is provided in the reduced diametered portion 66 for purposes presently to be described. At its opposite end and extending outwardly of the bearing bracket 62, the shaft 60 has a preferably right hand threaded portion 68. A compression spring 69 is mounted on the threaded portion 68 with one of its ends abutting the bracket 62 in a centering recess 62a. A spring adjustment nut 10,

preferably with right hand threads, is screwed onto the rig-ht hand threaded portion 68. The other end of the spring 69 abuts the inner face of this nut about a centering boss 10a. A look nut l I, preferably with left hand threads, is threaded- 1y engaged on another preferably left hand threaded portion 12 of the rod 60 which extends from the right hand threaded portion 68. The nut 1| has a flange portion 13 that may be tightened against the spring adjustment nut ill to lock the latter in any adjusted position. The nut 10 has fiat tightening faces and the nut II has openings for a spanner wrench or other tightening tool.

A bellows 75 of substantially cylindrical form is provided. The corrugated wall of this bellows permits longitudinal expansion and contraction as will presently be described. An end of the bellows is sealed by a head 16 and the opposite end of the bellows is sealed by a head 11. The head 16 is fixed permanently to a fixed bracket 19 as by screws (Fig. 9). The fixed bracket 19 is supported from member 50 or other fixed part as by screws 8| so that the longitudinal axis of the bellows 15 lies aligned with the axis of the slide rod 60. The bellows head T! has a portion 83 that is slidable in its axial direction in a guide bearing 84 of a bracket 85. The bracket 85 likewise is secured as by screws 86 to the member 50 or other fixed part. The portion 83 of the bellows head has an axially disposed bore 88 into which the reduced portion 66 of the slidable shaft 60 extends. A coupling pin 90 secured to the portion 83 extends into the slot 67 of the portion 66 that lies in the bore 88 to provide a fairly loose pin and slot coupling between the slidable head 11 of the bellows and the slidable shaft 60 for purposes presently to be described.

Because of the force exerted by the compression spring 69, the crank rod or stop arm 54 normally rests upon the surface of the slidable shaft 60 in the groove or recess 63a and out of alignment with the slot 64. This prevents rotation of the shaft 59. At such time the locking claws, or catch members 4? engage the brackets 45 in the slots 46 thereof. This engagement locks the retainer or gate 24 in its closed or retaining position counter to the opposing opening tendency of torsion springs 42 of the hinge 40. The action of torsion springs 42 is transmitted through the brackets 45 and claws 41 so as to tend to maintain the arm 54 on said surface of the slidable shaft 60. This surface acts as a stop to prevent the arm 54 from rotating and thus prevents disengagement of the claws 41 with the brackets 45. Such disengagement can occur only when the rod or shaft 6|] is slid longitudinally in oppositionto atoaesd 7 itscompression spring 69 sothat its slot registers with the end 54a of the rod or arm 54.

The necessary longitudinal sliding movement of. the rod or shaft 60 for release purposes can be effected in two ways. One way is a longitudinal shift. of said shaft 50 in a direction toward the bellows .15 asa result of inertial movement thereu i-occurring upon a crash impact that is great enough to overcome the counteraction of spring 69 and permit the. slot 54 and end of arm54 to come .into registry. An alternative way is the creation of pressure upon the bellows to compress it sufficiently as to cause it to draw therod or sired degree by the spring adjusting nut 'II] which islocked in place after adjustment by the locking nut II.

In practice, the launching device I2 bearing the. release mechanism just described is supported in the vehicle so that the axis of slidable shaft 60 lies generally in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle with its headed portion 65 facing generally in the direction of night and so that the. compression spring 69 lies aft of the headed portion 65. This is necessary to secure the inertial longitudinal shift of the slidable shaft 60 in the proper direction forwardly to cause registry of slot 64 and the end 54a of latch control shaft or arm 54. The impact shock necessary to cause such registry can be adjusted as desired and depends upon the mass of the rod or, shaft 60 and also upon the adjusted counterforce ,of. the spring 59. An adjustment found suitable in practice is one thatrequires a shock of crash impact equal approximately to that created by sudden stoppage of a body having an acceleration of 2 gs, i. e., twice the gravitational constant of 32.174 ft. per sec. per sec., to cause sufiicient shift by inertial forces of the rod or shaft 60 forwardly to cause the required registry of itsslotwith end 540,. This adjustment, however, is merely exemplary. Any desired adjustment can .be-made for sufficient inertial shift with difierent crash impact forces. When such registryoccurs, the end 5411 of rod or arm 54 is free to move enough into the slot 65 under action of torsion springs 42 to cause rotation of arms 48 about their pivotal supports in sufficient amount to freethe claws 41 attached thereto from the latch brackets 45, in other words to permit unlatching of the brackets 45. This unlatching action permits the torsion springs 42 to act to swing the gate or closing member upon hinge pin M to open position.

Inthe event that. the crash impact force is not great. enough to cause the required inertial sliding movement of rod 60 necessary to effect unlatching as just described, or if for any other reason the crash impact itself fails to effect the unlatching described, if the accident has occurred in or over water and the aircraft or vehicle involved should sink,-water will enter open- "ings 46 provided in the enclosure 50 and surround the bellows I5. Since water pressure increases withincreasing depth below its surface,- the increasing water pressure acts to compress thebellows I in its longitudinal direction. This causes the movable bellows head I! to move in its'gbearing 84 towardsfixed head It. As compression: of bellows I5 continues the .pin -90 moves inslott'l to engage thev outerendthereof 64 are drawn in opposition to the action of spring.

6.) towardsregistry of slot. 64 with the arm end 54a. Registry occurs when the water pressure. for which the bellows I5 and spring 60 have been adjustedis. present. Singe the head pressure'of water increases proportionally to depth, it, is a matter. of computation to select thebellows 15 and the. spring.68 to provide. for an unlatching registration of slot 64 andarm 54 at any desired depth of .submergence.

Atsealevel the. bellows .15 is fully expanded within the limits permitted by the brackets I9 and 05.. The pin then lies intermediate the ends of slot 61 and slot. 64 is then kept .out, of registry with end 54a of arm 54 by the force, ex.- erted by the. compressionspring 69. Above sea level, for example, at flight altitudes the air pres sure about the bellow's'l5 that enters openings 95. is lower than atsea. level. Hence the bellows. I5

will remain expanded within its limiting brackets.

I 9 and 85. The bellows I5 will not become operae tive either at or above sea level to move the rod or shaft 59 and its slot 64 into an unlatching position. The said intermediate position of pin 90 in slot 6'5 will, however, permit inertial shift of shaft E5! to an unlatching position upon the occurrence of crash impact as described. The slot 5'! is long enough to permit suchindependent action. If desired either the inertial crash impact release arrangement or the water pressure actuated release arrangement can be eliminated andonlyone. of the twoused. Primarilythe water pressurearrangement as described is operable in the event of failure of the crash im-v pact. arrangement.

It is desirable that the. contents loaded into the launching device I2 be expelled forcefully when either the inertia or the pressure-actuated release mechanism just described trips the latch.- ing claws 4'! to, release the closure or gate 24 for movement to its discharging or open position under action of torsion springs 42. In the embodiment shown, two expelling arrangements are provided. One of such arrangements comprises a bar or rod I00 (Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 10). thatexe tends transversely-between the plates 28, 29 extending through the slots'3I thereof. Tensioning. springs IOI are secured at; I02. to these rods and at I03 to fixed portions of the frame parts 20. These, springs IOI exert a force tending to move the bar or rod I00 in the slots 3I toward the discharge opening of the storage device.2I that is normally closed by the closure or gate member 24. Blocks I04 having concave surfaces H15 (Figs. 6 and 10) complementalin shape to the. curvedsurfaces of the cylinders 32, 33 that areloaded into. the container are attached to the bar or rod I00 at spaced apart points (Figs; 4, 6 and 10). When the cylinders 32, 33, are loaded into the storage device 2|, the concave surfaces I05 engage the curved surface of the first one of them that is inserted. This one and the others when loaded into the container in succession move the bar I00 upwardly in opposition-to the springs IIlI. .When fully loaded, the bar I00 lies at the far or upper end of the storage device 2I as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and the springs IOI are stretched exerting a counterforce in the ejecting direction which cannot act as long asthe gate or closure 24 is latched in its closing position as described.

The-second of the ejecting arrangementscom- ,material (Figs.'3, 4, 6 and prises a wide hand I06 of fabric or suitable other This band I06 preferably is of less width than the space between the blocks I04 (Figs. 3 and 4):. The band I06 is mounted upon a spring-actuated roller I01 (Figs. 4, 6 and 10). This roller I01 is provided with a torsion spring I03 (Fig. 4). The roller has opposite heads I01a' and I09. Head I01a is fixed to roller I01 while the latter is rotatable relative to head I09, so that when the opposite heads I01a and I09 of the roller I01 are mounted in oppositely located brackets III, Illa, that are supported suitably from frame parts I2 of the storage device M as by screws II2, the head I09 is fixed against rotation in its bracket IIIa while head I01a can be rotated in its bracket III so that the band I06 may be unwound from the roller I01 which rotates against the opposition of the torsion springs I68. One end I08a of the spring is attached to head I01a. The other end I081) is attached to head I09. The brackets III, IIIa. support roller I61 substantially in parallelism with the axes of the cylinders 32, 33 and to one side thereof from one face of the storage device 2|. In the embodiment shown, the axis of the roller I01 lies outside the under or rear face of the device 2i. A portion 50a of the protective cover 50 encloses the roller I01 to protect it and to prevent ex ternal access thereto. The free end of the band I06 wound upon the roller has a U-shaped bar II4 (Figs. 3 and 6) attached to it. This U- shaped bar II4 lies in a loop II4a provided in the end of the band I06 (Figs. 3 and 6). The bar II 4 extends in parallelism with the axis of roller I01 and is secured to the frame parts on the inner side of the upper or front face of the storage device 2| as by screws II6. It is U-shaped to prevent the band I06 from sliding longitudinally on it. When the cylinders 33, 32 are inserted into the container 2!, the band I06 is unwound from the roller I01 in opposition to the action of the torsion springs I08 thereof in similar manner to the unrolling of a shade from a conventional shade roller except that no locking pawls are .provided. As a result, during loaded condition, because the other end of the fabric is attached to the U-shaped crossbar II4, the band I06 is always under tension caused by torsion springs I08. This tension tends to rewind the band I06 upon the roller I01. The cylinders 33, 32 are loaded into the container with the band I06 engaging around the curved surface of the first of such cylinders inserted. In a fully loaded device I2 the band is unwound from roller I01 sufliciently to extend along the inner faces of the wider side walls of the storage device 2| and around the uppermost surface of the innermost cylinder 33 as seen in Fig. 6. The tension of the torsion springs I08 then tends to rewind the band I06 on roller I01 and, in so doing, to eject the cylinders 32, 33 from the storage device. This action, however, is prevented by the closure member or gate 24 until one of the release mechanisms operate as described to permit movement of the claws 41 to unlatching position as previously described. When the gate 24 is released or freed, the combined forces of tension springs I 0I and of torsion springs I08 acting respectively upon the cross-bar I00 and upon the band roller I 01 as described are sufiicient to expel all the cylinders 33, 32 effectively and forcefully from the storage device 23 to drive them clear of the vehicle involved in the accident (see Fig. 10).

Brackets I25 (Figs. 2, 3and 10) secured to the fuselage frame I21 or other fixed part of the aircraft or other vehicle are provided. The launching or discharging device I2 is secured piv- 5 otally at I26 from these brackets so that the axis of the inertia shaft 60 extends substantially parallel with the fore and aft direction of the aircraft and with its headed portion 65 facing generally in the direction of motion of the aircraft or other vehicle. Furthermore, the pivotal supports I28 are so positioned that the gate or closure 24 lies at the lowermost end and may be secured after the loading of storage device 2I with its cylinders 33, 32 in the full line position shown in Fig. 2 in proximity to the fabric or other closure I5 (Figs. 2 and 10) covering the discharge opening I4 in the wall of the fuselage i l. Suitable brackets I30 secured to the fuselage ii at I3! and attachable as by nuts I32 to bolts 533 upstanding from the launching or discharging equipment 12 serve to maintain the loaded launching equipment I2 in said full line position. For inspection, the launching or discharging equipment I2 may be disattached from the brackets I30 to swing on pivots I28 to a loading position, shown in dotted line in Fig. 2. At that time the closure or gate 24 can be unlatched and swung clear of the entrance to storage device 2I so that the cylinders 33, 32 may be inspected in the latter. After inspection the gate 24 is latched and the device I2 fastened in its full line position of Fig. 2. During inspection the roller I01 can be locked against rotation as will be described.

The discharge opening I4 in the fuselage has a closure I5 of rupturable material, as previously described. This closure must be ruptured, or the opening I4 otherwise cleared, to permit ejection of the contents from the launching or discharging device I2. A convenient arrangement for effecting this rupture or clearing are knife blades or sharpened cutting members I40, Ia and I40b secured to an outer face of the gate or closure member 24 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 10). Each of these blades I40, I40a, I 403 tapers in its length so that it will eifectively cut through the rupturable closure I5 at I5a (Fig. 2) when the gate or closure member 24 is unlatched either by crash impact or water pressure as described and swung to its open position by the hinge torsion springs 42, as shown in dot-dash position in Figs. 2 and 10. Other arrangements for uncovering or clearing the discharge opening I4 may be provided.

Inasmuch as some of the cylinders loaded into the storage device I2, namely, cylinders 33, have frangible domes 34 that must be destroyed to make the contents of such cylinders available for use, for example, by self-contained discharging mechanisms that become operative upon access of water to parts protected by such frangible domes 34, it is desirable to provide means within the launching or discharge equipment I2 that will effect such destruction of the domes 34 upon the ejection of the cylinder 33 from the 68 storage device 2|. Such means conveniently referred to as a conditioning means, in the embodiment shown, comprises a sharp glass breaker or sharp abutment I43 secured to the side plates I44 to lie in the path of travel of the domes 34 70 as the cylinders 33 bearing the latter are ejected from the launching device I2 by bar I00 and by band I06. Since it is desirable to load the cylinders 33 into the device I2 with their domes 34 extending alternately in opposite directions, two such blades or abutments {43 are provided, one

sertion of the cylinders.

adjacentdeach of thepairs of, shield plates 28 29 -(Figs. 7, 4, and 6) aligned with'the spaces 30, 3i andin the ejection path of travel of the domes 34. These blades I43 are secured on the .sideplates 144 by screws I45 and the side plates can be. taken off from the frame 20 by unscrewing screws (not shown) so that they permit in- But the side plates are replaced in their operative positions for loading (Fig. 3) Thus, when the cylinders 33 are ejected after the gate or closure 24 is opened as a result of crash impact or of water pressure. as described, the domes =34 strike these blades or abutments I43. and are shattered as the cylinders '33, are. ejected ,from the storage device 2I to condition them, i.v e., to facilitate access of water to; the domev protected'mechanisms of the individual-cylinders 33 for rendering the latter operative in water or otherwise. The shield plates 28, 29 protect the rails 21 from being jammed by sionsprings, I01 and torsion springs I08 acting respectively upon the ejection'bar I00 and upon band 106. 1 VA cylinder 32 containing, for example,

a mercury switch controlled signal light L (Fig,

) that remains unlit while the cylinder 32 lies in substantially horizontal position or inverted verticalposition or positions between these two is inserted as the. sixth of the group of cylinders 32, 33 within the storage device 2|. The tube 32 is shorter in length than cylinders 33 and to compensate for this its dome end is provided with an extension covering 320 so that it will fit between the rails 21 for easier operation. The extension covering is split into half cylinders that fall away upon ejection fromv the device. The. signal light of cylinder 32 automatically lightswhen the cylinder 32 has been ejected at the scene of the accident and floats substantiallyupright in water. The contents of the cylinders 33, for example, are dye, markers that upon expulsion from the individual. cylinders 33 serve to color the areas of water at the scene of expulsion. These. cylinders may have difieren'tly timed mechanisms for expelling their dye markers-at. different periods of time after they land in the water. The expulsion mechanisms of each s such cylinder 33 include mechanism requiring access of water to operate them and time delay mechanism also controlled by access of water thereto to regulate the time of access of water to the expulsion mechanisms. Access of water to the time delayin mechanisms of the cylinders is permitted by the destruction of the frangible domes 34 of the cylinders 33 at the time of their ejection from the storage device 2I. The cylinder '32 and five cylinders 330i the group in the device 2I are launched or ejected substantially at the same time from the latter. The time delaying mechanisms of each cylinder '33 are differently timed so that the contents of the cylinders 33 are, expelled from them in timed sequence to provide either colored-marking areas in the vicinity of the accident over a longer period of time than is possible by using. only one suchcylinder 33;. or a trail ofcolored areas, in

the event that the;discharged-cylinders 33drift fromthe' scene of the accident between "the times of the ejection ofthegroupiromuthe launching and discharging equipment J2 and theindividual expulsions of the dye marking contents of "the various cylinders .33.

The particular internal constructions "of the cylinders 32 is described in.a copending application of Martin Dwyer and Philip B. Edwardsentitled Self-contained night-time signalling Idevice, filed on July 17, 1947. The particular internal constructions of the cylinders 33 'are'described in a copendin application of Martin Dwyer and Philip B. Edwards entitledSelf-contained emergency signallingdevice adapted to be operated automatically after being launched. filed July 17, 1947. No claim is made in this ap--, plication to their particular contents or arrange! ments because, any types of cylinders bearing useful contents to be discharged at the scene of an accident automaticallyfrom the launching equipment I2 that willfit into-the latter may be loaded therein prior to the departureof the airplane or other vehicle from its starting point.

Upon the occurrence of an accident resulting in a crash impact suflicient to move the inertia rod 60 to its latch tripping; position, or upon submergence of the vehicle to a depth in water sufficient to cause the bellows I5 to move-said rod 60 to its latch tripping position, the claws 41 release the gate or closure member-'24 which then swings open violently under the action of springs 42, IM and I08. This opening or the gate 24 causes the knives M0, a and I40!) to cut. through the fabric closure I5 and-clear or uncover opening I4. The tension springs IOI and' torsion springs 108 also act respectively upon the bar I00 and band "I06 tdeject all the cylinders 32, 33 in the device l2 throughopening I4-into the water or area about thewrecked vehicle. During such ejection the dom es fl 'of cylinders 33 are fractured or destroyed-exposing their operating parts or otherwise conditioning them for self-action as described.

During inspection, it is desirable to lock the band roller I01 against rotation urged'by its spring I08. To this end the: bra'ck'et III (Figs. 4a and- 4b) is slotted in its face to. receive the extension I0Ia of the'roller head "I01. The head I0'Ia has a pair of slots IO'IbKFigs. 4 and 4a) which are exposed in slotted portion II Ib of the bracket I-II. To look the roller head ID'Ia, a U-shaped lockin key I50 (Fig.. icy-may be slid into slots I'IIb so that its legs I51 engage-in the slots IIJ'Ib. The-key I50 has ahead" I52 engageable with a recessed portion 'II'I'c ofthe bracket III. "When so positioned; the key locks 'the'roller head I0Ia and withit 't he'roller 10'! against rotation. "The key I50 is only inse'rted during inspection periods-whenit is desiredto prevent the spring I08 -from"rewinding the roller I07. A locking" arrangement"(not shown) may also; be provided for l'Ock-ing the sprin :IIII against contraction during inspection periods;

Retaining rings are =forcef1'ittedonto the roller I01 to-prevent theband; [06 from sliding. The launching or discharging equipmentric scribed thus provides an-effective arrangement and daytime signalling devices having differen operating times may be discharged substantially simultaneously at the time of the accident as group and be rendered operative or conditioned] for self-operation as incidents of their discharge from the launching equipment to become effective as signals at successively different times after the accident. It further provides launching equipment that can be utilized to discharge various other useful devices at the scene of an accident automatically that will facilitate rescue work, the location of the scene and to aid survivors until rescued.

Still another feature of the invention is that it provides launching or discharge equipment of the character described which is possible to be installed at the most convenient and accessible location in many types of airplane. It is space saving and easy for inspection.

Still another feature of the invention is that it provides launching or discharge equipment of the character described which is safe during installation and in which there is no danger of fire hazard or explosion even during launching or discharging.

Still another feature of the invention is that it provides launching or discharge equipment of the character described that can be used permanently on the airplane and whose contents can be replaced.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, structural variations are possible and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. There is no intention, therefore, of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. Launching or discharging equipment of the character described comprising storage means for contents to be discharged at the scene of an accident, retaining means for maintaining the stored contents within said storage means prior to an accident, supporting means for maintaining said equipment in proximity to a discharge opening, a rupturable cover for said opening, release means operable automatically in response to inertial forces resulting from the crash impact of an accident for freeing said retaining means in the event of such an accident, and cover rupturing means attached to said retaining means for clearing said discharge opening upon the freeing of said retaining means and thereby then permitting discharge of said stored contents from said equipment through said discharge opening.

2. Launching or discharging equipment of the character described comprising storage means for contents to be discharged at the scene of an accident, retaining means for maintaining the stored contents Within said storage means prior to an accident, supporting means for maintaining said equipment in proximity to a discharge opening, a rupturable cover for said opening, release means operable automatically in response to water pressure resulting from submergence of the launching equipment at the scene of an accident for freeing said retaining means in the event of such an accident, and cover rupturing means for clearing said discharge opening upon the freeing of said retaining means and thereby then permitting discharge of said stored contents from said equipment through said discharge opening.

3. Launching or discharging equipment of the character described adapted for installation in aircraft or other vehicles comprising a storage 114* device for contents useful t the scene of an-a'cci dent involving the vehicle in which the launching or discharging equipment is installed, retaining means for maintaining contents stored within said storage device until the occurrence of' such 1 an accident, crash-impact actuated release means independently by water pressure resulting from the submergence of said vehicle at the scene of I said accident for freeing said retaining means in ,:the event of failure of operation of said crash impact actuated release means, means for supporting said launching equipment within said vehicle in proximity to a discharge opening thereof;-closure means for said discharge opening, and' gplosure opening means secured to said retaining-C means to clear said discharge opening uponsaid' freeing of said retaining means.

4. Launching or discharging equipment of the character described adapted for installation in aircraft or other vehicles comprising a storage device for contents useful at the scene of an accident involving the vehicle in which the launching or discharging equipment is installed, retaining means for maintaining contents stored within said storage device until the occurrence of such an accident, crash-impact actuated release means operable in response to inertial forces of crash impact of said accident for freeing said retaining means and thereby then permitting discharge of said stored contents from said equipment, water-pressure actuated release means operable independently by water pressure resulting from the submergence of said vehicle at the scene of said accident for freeing said retaining means in the event of failure of operation of said crash-impact actuated release means, supporting means for maintaining said launching equipment within said vehicle in proximity to a discharge opening thereof, a rupturable cover for said opening, and cover rupturing means attached to said retaining means for clearing said discharge opening upon said freeing of said retaining means.

5. Launching or discharging equipment of the character described adapted for installation in aircraft or other vehicles comprising a storage device for contents useful at the scene of an accident involving the vehicle in which the launching or discharging equipment is installed, retaining means for maintaining contents stored within said storage device until the occurrence of such an accident, crash-impact actuated release means operable in response to inertial forces of crash impact of said accident for freeing said retaining means and thereby then permitting discharge of said stored contents, water-pressure actuated release means operable independently by water pressure resulting from the submergence of said vehicle at the scene of said accident for freeing said retaining means in the event of failure of operation of said crash-impact actuated release means, tension spring'actuated means and torsion spring-actuated means acting jointly for expelling the stored contents from said storage device when said retaining means is freed, and activating means operable upon individual of the stored contents during their expulsion from said storage device to condition them for self-operation after their expulsion from said storage device.

o'n othen vehicles comprisinge storage device for.

contents useful at: the'ascene' oin-an; accident infi. volving athew-vehiclev-in. which. such equipment is; installed; retainingemeans; ioreiimaintaininge cone.

tentsrstoredewithin ysaid device an, inactive I condition nntilizthe-occurrence ,of.-. sueh an ,accir:

dent arelease means operab1e:,- automatically in U responselto forces resultingifromthe accidentsto freer sa-id retainingx means-supporting means for. maintaining said installed equipment within-said; vehicle I in proximity: to a'adischarge 1. opening, thereof; a "coverflfor said opening',..means, attached to-.saidwretaining means? for-repelling said..cover Number: Name Date 1,166,651 Beck- Jan; 4,..1916'; 1,836,495 Paulson -1 Dec. 15,-1-1931' 1 1,860,327 Kuhn May 24,1932:

16;? 2,190,531 Kaboskey- Feb.c13,:1940+ 2,357,417 Marple .Sept. 5,1944 2g380j587= Fent0n- July 31,1945

FOREIGN PATENTS llzyNumber Country Date 3'75-,758-:. France May. 22,1907

andiclearing said,0pening ;up0n .the freeing-oi saidretaining meansgend activatingemeans open.

able? upon the stored- :contents during; their dis chargerifrom said storage :-:means to: condition them: for self -.op'eriation after their. discharge 16 REFERENCES CITED The following r efereneesere of -*recbrd=in'-the file 0f =this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

